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Whale Watching on Maui

Maui is your gateway to some of the best whale-watching in the world. The waters off West Maui and South Maui are shielded by the West Maui Mountains and Haleakala, creating calm and clear waters for high visibility. Humpback whales are also drawn to the area’s shallow waters, less than 180 metres deep, making Maui an ideal spot to start your voyage during the winter whale-watching season from December to May.

Treat yourself to scenic ocean views as expert guides take you to the best spots to observe whales playfully surfacing, tail-slapping, or blowing spouts in the air. Regulations prohibit boats from approaching within 100 metres of a whale and you should never swim with or touch whales or any other marine mammals.

Lahaina Harbor is home to a wide range of whale-watching tours. From charter boats to passenger rafts, a stroll past the whale-watching kiosks lining Lahaina Harbor reveals a variety of whale-watching options. During the peak of whale-watching season between January and early April, the pier is abuzz with activity. Tours last roughly 2-4 hours long and some even offer early bird specials.

From 1825 to 1860, Lahaina was the centre of whaling in Hawaii. This port town was once the royal capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom before it was moved to Honolulu in 1845. During this time, Lahaina was known as the Pacific’s most significant whaling port. At its peak, whalers were hunting thousands of whales each year—to the point of near extinction. Today, conservation has helped to increase the overall whale population in Hawaii.

You can still explore Lahaina’s whaling past today. Neighbouring the harbour, the Pioneer Inn—which was built in 1901—recalls the ambiance of whaling days. Echoes of the past can be found throughout this historic town from the modest Lahaina Lighthouse (the oldest lighthouse in the Pacific) to Hale Paahao, the Old Lahaina Prison, where rowdy sailors were rounded up for the night in the 1850’s. Off Kaanapali Beach, the upscale Whaler’s Village mall also has an extensive Whaling Museum that is free to the public.

Cruises and whale tours also depart from Maalaea Harbor just north of Kihei. But you don’t have to go on a whale-watching tour to spot whales. In fact, there are plenty of areas on Maui where humpbacks can frequently be seen from the shore during whale season. The scenic McGregor Point lookout west of Maalaea and the beaches of Kaanapali, Kihei and Wailea are also great spots to see whales.